







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| He is the bartender. | |
| But maybe they are splitting up, I don't know yet. | |
| Come on dear, I know you want me to! | |
| Yeah, and the market is good, is Camden Lock in zone-2 or 3? | |
| Hello Beatrix, it's me, Cate. | |
| Pogo still hates coming to the vet, though! | |
| It has 1 year to pass its expiry date. | |
| Hmm.. yes, we get on really well. | |
| How much do you pay for your room? | |
| Here we go, I'm sure it means they pay much less. | |
| Do we have a sieve? | |
| In the recipe it says 600g. | |
| You are absolutely right! | |
| Do you live in this house, too? | |
| Then people come and complain to me! | |
| Aren't there four of us dear? | |
| I hate taking long flights! | |
| Sorry, I hope it doesn't ruin your childhood memories... | |
| It's a double room plus we get a cleaner once a week. | |
| What's your favourite movie? | |